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Ukraine has asked not to reach the artist, but thousands of followers will not let that stop them

Kiev, in a joint statement with Jerusalem, asked to refrain from visiting the tomb of Rabbi Nachman of Breslav on Rosh Hashanah due to the corona, but some Hasidim plan to travel anyway. "We do not replace a winning horse, we will do whatever it takes," they say. However, there are also those who have given up on the trip: "Do not take a risk"

• Breslav followers
• Ukraine
• an artist
• New Year

Yaki Adamkar

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Israel and Ukraine issued a joint statement this morning (Tuesday) urging Hasidim to refrain from visiting the tomb of Rabbi Nachman of Breslav Bauman in light of the spread of the corona, but for the Hasidim - the last word has not yet been said. Every year, about 50,000 people come to Uman, of whom at least 30,000 are Israelis. To those who will arrive anyway, Kiev and Jerusalem call for distance, and declare that restrictions will be strictly enforced.

Authorities in Ukraine, the National Security Council and other officials in the two countries have held marathon talks in the past month to allow a limited number of passengers from Israel to come to Uman on Rosh Hashanah. One of the proposals discussed was to limit the number of passengers to only 13,000. The flight, another landing check and further restrictions. The announcement released today, in the end, settles for a declarative step, and ultimately hope for the future. "We hope to understand and believe that next year we can celebrate Rosh Hashanah as well as other holidays, together and without any restrictions."

Despite the announcement, the Hasidim say that nothing will stop them on the way to the "spiritual experience", as they put it, with Rabbi Nachman of Breslav. "A cornerstone for us in all areas of life is 'there is no despair in the world at all.'

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He noted that for decades Breslav's followers "stood the test of time," as he put it, "just to get to the artist on Rosh Hashanah." He said, "Chassidim entered with fake passports during the Soviet era. They groan all year round financially to save a penny to get there, and pay a heavy price - to leave the wife, children and the rest of the family on the holidays - just to keep Rabbi Nachman's will."

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Ukraine has decided: It will be forbidden for worshipers to enter the Uman on Rosh Hashanah

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Silk has flown to Uman every year, for over two decades. Despite Corona's limitations, he believes a way will be found to hold the event. "I believe and am sure that in the run-up to Rosh Hashanah, we will be able to reach an understanding with the Ukrainians, who have from the beginning expressed a willingness to accept a limited number of followers," he said. "The hope now is that it will happen in the end. In the essence of a Breslav follower, there is no other place on Rosh Hashanah other than Bauman. Each of the guys is now examining how it will be possible to fly, despite everything. There will be devotion here for all that that implies."

The relationship between Breslav's followers and the Ukrainians can only help, explains Meshi. "We knew how to get along with them excellently and we will know how to do it this time as well, we just need the Israelis to stop inciting and interfering in the policies of another country, as Israel has been doing for the past month," he added. "If in the United States and other countries in Europe make special arrangements with Ukraine in favor of this trip, there is no reason for Israel to just act to interfere and sabotage efforts."

Yehuda Avikzar, a Breslav Chassid who flew to Rabbi Nachman Bauman's grave for 17 years with all the family members - he, his wife and their seven children - was sure that the outline had been carried out. "We closed flights to everyone," he said. "But then El Al and other airlines announced they would not take out flights this year, so everything was postponed and canceled. We are now waiting for a refund or credit on the tickets."

Following Corona’s limitations, Avikzer said his wife decided to give up the trip this year. "She does not want to fly. We decided that only me and my eldest son would fly to Uman this year." Avisker has repurchased tickets through a Ukrainian airline, and he does not intend to let talk hurt the planning: "We will do everything necessary to reach Rabbi Nachman this year."

When asked why it is so important for him to get to Uman, despite the health risk it may involve, he smiled, and replied: "You see with your own eyes that you are coming back from a certain place, and everything you ask for it - happens. Both physically and spiritually, so you will not fly? "We change a winning horse. Since I met Rabbi Nachman, his teachings and his advice, I feel that he goes with me all year hand in hand, he invites me to Rosh Hashanah, will I not come?"

Silk and accessory belong to the central core of Breslav followers, and like them, thousands more will not give up the trip to Uman on Rosh Hashanah, even if the price for it is high. However, many others, adults and children or those who do not belong to the storks will not fly this year, due to the spread of the corona. One of them is Israel Klein, a descendant of Rabbi Nachman. "Every year I would fly, it's a spiritual and physical experience, but this time there's no reason to take risks," he said.

"I am just stressed by the thought of being stopped at the airport in Kiev and forced to stay there for three days until I return to Israel, or by the fact that I will stay there with Corona. Our Rabbi will hear us from Israel this year," Klein explained, still praying every night. We will open and it will be possible to fly for Rosh Hashanah. "

Bauman had already begun preparing a few weeks ago for the possibility that despite the corona, thousands would come to visit Rabbi Nachman's grave. The sleeping tents, food and cooking complexes are already ready, and everything has been carefully designed according to the capsule layout distributed by the countries of the world.

A source close to the preparations explained: "In the end there will be ten thousand people here, it is clear to everyone, someone needs to allow them accommodation, food, and that is what we are preparing for. Otherwise, what? They will stay hungry?".

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